Chicago Wine Geeks taste Merlot

Chicago, IL
Tasted Thursday, December 28, 2006 by Nanda with 801 views

Flight 1 - Welcome Rose (1 Note)

Flight 2 - WINE A (1 Note)

Michelle Roland strikes again! I was convinced this was a Foley wine ... guessing Pride Moutaintop Select.

  • 2003 Long Shadows Wineries Merlot Pedestal 93 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    Dark ruby color with a forward and aromatic nose of flowers, chocolate, dark fruits, baking spices and toasty oak. Creamy palate is reminiscent of a chocolate milkshake. Needs some air to smooth out and strut its stuff. The last few sips were awesome. My #2, group's #4.

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Flight 3 - WINE B (1 Note)

  • 2001 Vignalta Colli Euganei Gemola 89 Points

    Italy, Veneto, Colli Euganei

    Dark ruby color. A unique nose of cedar, tar, green herbs with a hint of vanillin. Medium bodied palate is built in an elegant style.

    Night 2 --- green herbs and tobacco leaf are more pronounced. Palate has greater weight and length as well. Nice improvement...89+

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Flight 4 - WINE C (1 Note)

While this was nice, I think there are many better examples for Spring Mountain which has great Merlot terroir.

  • 2002 Guilliams Vineyards Merlot 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

    Ruby color with a fresh nose of bright cherry fruits, cedar and menthol. Medium concentration and silky on the palate. A smooth drink, but non-descript --- in that it lacks any stand out nuances.

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Flight 5 - WINE D (1 Note)

Bravo Helen Turley! Doesn't taste like a hostage wine to me...

  • 2002 Blankiet Estate Merlot Paradise Hills Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Inky purple in color. A complex and aromatic nose of currants, tar, smoke, green herbs, anise and cedar. Gorgeous texture on the palate. Concentrated, plush fruits are melded to soft tannins. Seamless and long. A very polished wine. My #3, group's #5.

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Flight 6 - WINE E (1 Note)

  • 2003 Domaine de Baronarques 91 Points

    France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Limoux

    Ruby red with bright cherry fruit, flowers, cedar and eucalyptus on the nose. Medium concentration to the currant fruits. Earth and eucalyptus notes offer complexity. Balanced however tannins and acidic stucture appear to be compressing the length and breadth today. Youthful with upside for development.

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Flight 7 - WINE F (1 Note)

  • 2000 Château les Cruzelles 89 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Lalande de Pomerol

    Dark ruby red with aromas currants, green herbs, smoke and eucalyptus. Medium bodied palate has herb-infused dark fruits. Balanced and seamless with good length. Very solid but nothing grabs you --- a victim of blind tasting. Would make for a great dinner companion.

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Flight 8 - WINE G (1 Note)

  • 1998 Château Destieux 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Ruby color with a superb nose that offers layers of aromas --- currant fruits, cedar, herbs and graphite. The palate isn't quite as impressive as the nose. But this wine has elegance with all the components working in harmony.

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Flight 9 - WINE H (1 Note)

The good Paloma...

  • 1999 Paloma Merlot 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

    Dark ruby with a killer nose of dark fruits, chocolate, herbs, smoke with a touch toasty vanilla nuance. Palate has great concentration and vibrancy of fruit. Savoury tannins provide texture and balance. Seamless and long. Powerful and elegant. My WOTN, group's WOTN.

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Flight 10 - WINE I (1 Note)

The not-so-good Paloma...

  • 2004 Paloma Merlot 87 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

    Ruby red with an ultraripe zin-like nose. Oozes concentrated sweet fruit on the palate. Not at all merlot-like. Would have enjoyed more if this hadn't been a blind merlot tasting! Quite possibly an off bottle.

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Flight 11 - WINE J (1 Note)

Flight 12 - WINE K (1 Note)

  • 1992 Ravenswood Pickberry 87 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain

    Light ruby in color. Nose has dark cherry fruits, cedar, eucalytpus and some heat. Medium bodied palate offers currants and dusty tannins. Tasty on entry but alcohol pokes out leaving it disjointed and astringent. Disappointing and past its heyday ... not at all like the 95 point RMP tasting note. Drink 'em if you got 'em!

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Flight 13 - WINE L (1 Note)

  • 2005 Château Mylord 86 Points

    France, Bordeaux

    Purple in color. Sweet fruit aromas. Fresh and lively palate. Pure currant fruits and soft tannin. Not much complexity but still tasty.

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Flight 14 - Dessert (2 Notes)

With Jen's egg nog cheescake ... which was delicious. Thanks Matt and Jen!

Closing

Thanks to all for the contributions!

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